I'm Sioux Roslawski and this is my blog about writing, dogs, grown-up children, menopause, the joy of a marvelous book, classroom teaching in general, and specifically, the teaching of writing. You can email me at sroslawski(at)yahoo(dot)com.

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Life of a Teacher

As a third grade teacher, I am hugged daily. I am given homemade cookies(that look suspiciously like a bite has been taken out of them--probably just quality control at work, I imagine) that have been carried in their hands, without any plastic bag or food wrapper. I have had students lovingly share their stickers by patting one onto my shirt (which I only remembered--too late--when I went to a neighborhood copy center and pranced around, getting strange looks when the other customers and the employees looked at my chestal region (which is way above the "nether regions," one of Val's favorite phrases).

My kids want to learn how to become more proficient readers. They want to become more capable with their math skills. That's the big picture. But every day, what they fight and fret over daily are things like this:

Special pencils. In our class we have a communal pencil container. At the beginning of the year, everyone most of the students some of the students bring in several boxes of pencils. Every morning, I sharpen 8 dozen pencils. At lunch, I resharpen them, because apparently my classroom was invaded by a gang of marauding beavers. My students form relationships with pencils they deem special. There is "Crimper," a pencil that has had the eraser part modified. The eraser is gone, but the top of the metal part has been crimped tightly shut. This makes the pencil suitable for many purposes. There is also "Two Points." A pencil much in demand, this pencil--although only two inches long--has two points. Each end is sharp and ready...There is also "Chewbaca." From all appearances, the colored coating has been chewed/peeled off, revealing a smooth, beige wood surface.

Getting to use the tall water fountain instead of the short one. When we come back from PE, we stop and get a drink. There are two water fountains--one for taller kids/adults and one for the shorter students. Jockeying in line, to guarantee drinking from the taller one is crucial to their existence...

Getting at the front of the line to go to lunch. At recess, many of the students get in line 5-10 minutes early, and just stand there, waiting for the whistle to blow, just so they can be "first." Of course, they are worrying needlessly. The cafeteria ladies never run out of corn dogs...

There are other life-or-death battles fought every day, but I will stop here. However, if you want to get a glimpse into what high school teachers deal with, go to this post. This hillbilly teacher is a hoot!

Isn't it amazing what kids find so important at whatever age they are? Even now that I'm old when I stress out about something, I stop and think - will this be so important to me a year from now? If not, then stop stressing! It really helps me deal with it.

My Peeps--The WWWPs

A writing critique group can help improve one's craft. However, when it comes to the Wild Women Wielding Pens, it also makes for a snortingly-good time.

Sioux

I'm a full time 3rd grade teacher and a part time writer.

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Like wads of paper ever mounting, in a metal trash can in a barren room save for a table, a chair and a typewriter, I stuff the holes of my life with words, Therein lies my addiction. I am a writer. ---Jean Ellen Whatley from Off the Leash

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